Rub age?

[whitingja]

How can you tell how old a rub is? I have heard varying opinions on this. I hear guys saying "that's this years rub", but I don't agree. The tree is dry, twigs on the ground snap easily. I have also heard if there is visible sap, it old. Any ideas?

[pointysticks]

(i soooo wanna put/insert a joke here)

but this is a good question.

[JohnFitzgerald]

I usually go by the debris laying on the ground. Pine needles still green, it's fresh. Color of the rub and sap is an ok method.

jf

[cnelk]

To become familiar with how trees react to rubs, try this:

The next time you are out scouting or hunting near your camp, take your knife or saw and scrape the bark and branches off a typical sized 'rub' tree.

Remember the date and monitor what happens.
How fast does the bark dry out?
When do the needles dry out?
When does the sap appear?
When does the sap dry out?

I think you would be surprised by what you find out by the answers to these questions.

[ElkNut1]

These are the same years rubs! None of the following photos are a year old.

ElkNut1

[ElkNut1]

Here's another
ElkNut1

[ElkNut1]

Here's another.

ElkNut1

[Swamp Buck]

Many times on a fresh rub you will see hair from the elk (or deer) still on the tree, the tree will still be "wet" and as Paul has indicated there will be shavings on the ground. This big rub has all the above.

[whitingja]

The tree being moist to touch makes sense. However, I killed my bull 4 years ago and went back to the tree last year that he was raking before I shot him. The branches were still on the ground as well as shavings and even fur on the tree. My hunting partner said if he had not know I shot him 4 years ago, he would of thought it was that years rub. Not trying to be difficult, just trying to figure out if elk are in my scouting area. I realize they are not rubbing yet. I wish I was just better at reading rubs.

[cnelk]

Geographical relative humidity will play a big part on how tree bark/tree ages by being rubbed.

Up where I hunt, a humid day is 30-40%. Most times its <20%

Im sure where Swede hunts, it is higher....

I can post pics of fresh rubs, but it really wont do you any good unless you can touch the sap or shredded bark

I am going up this weekend, if I come across old rubs, I will post them

[whitingja]

Thanks cnelk

[BrentLaBere]

I was able to look up an old thread in the "Archived Tips" about rubs but wasnt able to post on it. So, instead of starting a new one I will add here.
This last weekend was our scouting trip in new territory. I know some dont put a lot of emphasis on rubs but others do. I guess Im looking for discussion on how to approach these areas. Most of the rubs we found were at elevations from 7000 to 7600 with some being higher and some being lower. Now most of these trees looked like this...

Other areas we found trees near clearings that I think could have been displaying or raking rubs at higher elevations. Much smaller pines. I am not sure this holds true or not. I will post more pictures later but these were the two I had on hand.

What I am wondering is this, Are these areas where in the early part of September are by them selves getting ready for the rut? Good cold calling setups?
Basically key in on at this elevation for the early season? We also found this seep at 7200' near a really dense area with rubs but not much activity in the water hole itself..Possibly a future wallow? We will be checking this area out come season.